Extension Plant Pathologist -Tenure Track Faculty

The PSPP Department conducts and contributes to MSU Extension, research and teaching in the broad areas of biology, including but not limited to agronomy, horticulture, plant biology, plant pathology, genetics, entomology, sustainable crop production, and landscape design. This faculty position will contribute to the plant pathology area.

We seek a highly qualified and enthusiastic Extension specialist/research plant pathologist to contribute to our programs. This is a full-time, tenure track renewable fiscal year contract; 63% teaching, 27% research and 10% service. The successful candidate will develop an innovative and collaborative Extension and research program focused on plant pathology relevant to Montana and the missions of the Department, College and University, and that address MSU's Grand Challenges (https://www.montana.edu/strategicplan/improvinglives.html).

Duties and Responsibilities

Develop an outstanding Extension education program covering disease management strategies for field crops relevant to Montana agriculture including but not limited to cereal grains, pulse crops and oil seed crops. The Extension education program should be supportive of county agents and address the needs of growers, agricultural professionals, agribusiness, trade associations, and the various commodity groups associated with crop responsibilities. Extensive travel across the state to meet stakeholders will be integral to the Extension education program. Extension responsibilities further include collaborating with the Schutter Diagnostic Laboratory, e.g. by supporting diagnosis and management recommendations for crop disease samples.
Develop an applied research program that is innovative and relevant to stakeholder needs and extension responsibilities.
Participate in the state Integrated Pest Management program.
Oversee and direct the Regional Pulse Crop Diagnostic Laboratory.
Support their research and extension program with extramural funding and publish original research in refereed journals and other appropriate venues.

Required Qualifications

• Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Doctor of Philosophy degree in Plant Pathology or closely related field.

Demonstrated experience in planning, facilitating, and conducting education and/or outreach programs.
A record of peer-reviewed publications commensurate with career level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Extension, research, and instructional experience in plant disease management.
Ability to produce and assimilate research-based information for pest management recommendations.
Evidence of productive interactions with industry, agencies, and academic groups.
Evidence of leadership and/or participation in externally funded collaborative extension and/or research activities.
Ability to develop and direct innovative off-campus train the trainer programs and activities leading to increased trainer capacity in plant disease management.
Evidence of potential for successful mentoring of graduate students.
Experience in crop production systems.

The Successful Candidate Will
Be a dynamic Extension educator and scientist who will:

Help MSU continue to provide outstanding Extension, research, teaching, and service;
Have strong interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate successfully with Extension and research scientists and educators from MSU's Extension and MAES faculty, and effectively interface with growers, stakeholders, and students;
Have excellent written and oral English communications skills;
Work cooperatively with people of diverse backgrounds;
Be motivated and able to travel extensively across Montana.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but as a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

The Program

The Department
The Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology has 28 tenure-track faculty including plant pathologists, plant breeders, plant physiologists, horticulturalists, entomologists, cereal chemists, and plant molecular biologists. The Department has state-of-the-art laboratory and plant growth facilities. Field research facilities are available both on campus and at 7 MAES Research Centers located strategically throughout the state. The Department offers both MS and Ph.D. degrees in Plant Pathology and Plant Science. There are currently 50 graduate students and 150 undergraduate majors in the Department.

The College
Founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University (MSU) is composed of nine academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment. Currently, the University hosts an enrollment of over 16,000 students, including approximately 2,000 graduate students. MSU is classified as one of 107 U.S. Research Universities (very high research activity) by the Carnegie Foundation.MSU is located in Bozeman, Montana, an extended community of about 70,000 nestled in the Rocky Mountains in Southwest Montana. In addition to providing access to an extraordinary ecosystem for teaching and research programs, Bozeman is renowned for year-round recreational and cultural opportunities to include access to world class ski areas, multiple blue ribbon trout streams and the Gallatin National Forest. The Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport is served by several major airlines and is the busiest airport in the state.Named an All-American City, Bozeman boasts high-quality medical facilities, a very low crime rate, many fine restaurants, acclaimed public and private schools, a symphony orchestra and choir, an annual opera, and nationally known events such as the Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts held in early August of each year. Bozeman is listed as one of National Geographic's "World's 25 Best Ski Towns." Bizjournals.com ranked Bozeman #2 on the list of American Dream towns - small towns that offer the best quality of life without metropolitan hassles. The K-12 educational system, growing reputation of Montana State University, and pristine natural environment of the area combine to make Bozeman one of America's most desirable university towns. Bozeman is located in the beautiful Gallatin Valley, 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.